Looking back at the spring semester of my senior year at Butler University, one thing immediately comes to mind: auditions. On top of schoolwork, rehearsals, jobs, and other obligations, my fellow dance majors and I spent any remaining hours in pursuit of a contract. Audition seasons are tough for anyone, especially the first time around. […]
When choreographer Quinton Peron logs on to a video call with Dance Spirit, it’s from a hotel room in Arizona. After the interview, he’s off to set choreography on a studio team. Two days ago, he was in Lyon, France, creating a first-ever pom routine for a team that competes at Worlds. But one of […]
Ever wonder what a typical week looks like for a college dancer? What’s it like to balance dance, academics, and a social life? And how do collegiate dancers look after themselves with such busy schedules? Dance Spirit has got you covered with our new series, “A Week in the Life of a College Dancer.” We’ll […]
Over the past decade, collegiate dance has exploded in popularity with competitions like UDA and NDA Nationals breaking into mainstream pop culture and gaining attention on social media. College dance teams are becoming increasingly competitive, with steep technical requirements and a prerequisite of standout showmanship. Yet despite this growth, dance teams often lack resources when […]
Even after the whirlwind of Nutcracker season and finals dies down, summer break can feel very far away. Still, because applications for intensives, internships, and jobs open in winter, now is the time to start planning for the warmer months. Find Your Focus In her Intro to Dance Studies course at Chapman University, Jennifer Backhaus encourages dancers […]
Last Friday, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia announced it would be shutting down as of June 7. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a steep drop in enrollment left the nearly 150-year-old school in such a deep financial crisis that the accrediting agency abruptly withdrew its charter. Many students and faculty found out through the Inquirer’s coverage, and only got […]
Finding yourself at a crossroads between academia and the arts can be challenging—especially for a 16-year-old. In my junior year of high school, I faced the same stressors as anybody else: studying for the ACT, going on college visits, and figuring out where this next leap would land. But as a dancer, I faced many […]
You’ve done the hard part: You got into a college dance program. And that, in and of itself, is a major achievement (pun intended). But what comes next? How can you best use the summer before your freshman year to get your mind and body in the right place before you head off to school? […]